Apparatus for assembling plugs in primer tubes



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' APPARATUS F OR ASSEMBLING PLUGS IN PRIMER TUBES IN VEN TOR.

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oct. 13, 1959 w. E. WALSH 2,908,387

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United States Patent O FoRAss'EMLuvo PRIMER TUBES William E. Walsh, Chicago, lll. Application August 2,1954, serial No. 447,370

' 's claims. (C1. 209-72) APPa-RTUS PLUGSIN The present invention relatesV to a novel app-aratus for forming Kand insertingv diaphragms or plugs` in tubular bodies, and more particularly to a. novel apparatus which is esp'eciall'yuseful for'forming and inserting diaphragms in primer tubes of high explosive shells or bombs and the like;

Asis wellknown, high explosive bombs or artillery shells are provided with a priming charge which may be easily ignited' by a suitablev detonator and which, in turn, serves to ignite the main charge. Such priming charges are usually placed in a long perforated tube. Such tubes are made in certain standard lengths, but it isoften desirable to vary the amount of the priming charge in Various tubes. The amount of the priming charge which may be inserted in any particular tube is determined by locating a diaphragm or plug at a predetermined position within the tube and then lilling one end of the tube with the charge.

Before the present invention, it has been the practice to inserti the Vdiaphragm or plug in priming tubes 'by hand. This is a slow tedious hand operation so that the labor cost is unduly high. Furthermore, the plugs ordiaphragms are held and secured in the desiredpositionwithin the tube by means of a suitable lacquer or other adhesive material and it is difficult for the hand operators to locate the lacquer at the proper position within the primer tube for most effective holding of the plug or diaphragm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for inserting plugs or diaphragms to a predetermined position within tubular bodies such as primer t'ubes ina rapid and economical manner- Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel' apparatus for automatically inserting a plurality of plugsor diaphragms into `a plurality of primer -tubes in a substantially continuous manner.

2,908,387 Patented Oct? 1.3 1959 ICC ` in predetermined timed relationship to each other..

A still further object of the'present invent-ionis. to:

provide an apparatus of the above described-type which 4 may be relatively economically manufacturedand serv-` iced and which isexplosion-proofso that it may-be used inordnance plants. Y

Other objects and advantages of the present Vinvention will become apparent from .the following descriptii'and the accompanying drawings wherein: t f

Fig. 1 is a side elevational'view of the apparatus ofthis invention with portions broken raway and" certain elements omitted for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a right-handV end view of the apparatus shown in Fig.V l

Fig, 3'is a plan view of the apparatus in this inv'ention;

` Fig. 4 is an enlarged lcross sectionalv viewfof'a primer tube and diaphragrnvassembly fabricated bythe apparatus of this invention and taken Ialongline-l in Fig' .,5

Fig. 5 is a. perspective view ofthe primer tube.' and diaphragm assembly;

Fig. 6 is a plan view ofthe means for injecting. lacquer or other suitable adhesive material into theprimertube at a `first worklstation of the apparatus; l

Fig, 7 is an elevational view of the means, shown in Fg; l

Fig. 8 is a cross vsectional view taken 'alongline 8,.- 8, in Fig.7;. f

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectionalview showing how lacquer or other suitable adhesive material is injected into a primer tube; Y

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the means at a second Work. station of the apparatus, which means functions to form plugs or diaphragms and partially insertA the diaphragms Within the primer tubes; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in` F.ig, 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectionalvife'w similar to Fig. 14 and showing how a diaphragmis in serted into the end of the primer tube; 4

Fig. 13' is a left-hand end view ofthe means y A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel; automatic apparatus for injecting a `suitable lacquer or other adhesive material into a predetermined portion of a tubular body such as a primer tube and'for subsequently/' locating a plug or diaphragm in saidpredetermined portion of the tube.

Still `another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus for automatically forming plugs or diaphragms from stock material and inserting the formed diaphragms into a-tubul-ar b o'dy.

A still further object of the present invention is `to provide anovel `apparatus for successively inserting a plurality-of plugs or diaphragms into a plurality of tubular bodies such as .primer tubes moving along a path of travel and for subsequently separating satisfactory tube and diaphragm assemblies from unsatisfactory assemblies; A morespeciic object of the present 4invention is to protion vof a plug or diaphragm within a tube andV 'for auto- Fig. 19 is a plan view ofV means ata fourth work. sta- Y tion ofthe apparatus, which means fun'ctions to check or inspectl the primertube and Vdir ip'hragrri assemblyr' y determine if thediaphragmis properly positioned; Fig.

Fig. 21 is an Venlarged fragmentary cross sectionalviertl showing how the `means of Figs. 19 and v 20 functions to check a primer tube and diaphragrnfassernbly and Fig. 2`2 is a diagrammatic view of the actuating-end `V controlmeansofthepparatus Referring now.more spe ci i'c ally tofthedrawinpgs. whereilllk Pars "are @Signatad by the StItenumeraIs throu out the ivarious iigures, an vapparatus 30 ernbodyi and includes conveyor means 32"fr successively'cori;V

20 is an elevational view ofthemeans show iiiii rig. 19;

principles offthis invention is shown 4in Figs. ll, an 3 l perforations 54 and the diaphragm 48 is in the form of a veying a plurality of primer tubes 34 past work stations 36, 38, 40 and 42.'l Means 44 is located at the statlon 36 for ejecting lacquer or other suitable material into the primertubes and-means y46 is disposed at the. station 38 for successively forming". a plurality of plugs or dia-I phragins .48 and'inserting the diaphragms. into `the ends of the'tub'es. At the station 40.there is located means 50 for positioning'tllepreviously insertedV 'diaphragms cup. shapedpaper or other sheet material member. lacquer orother suitable material 56 is located at the proper position within the primer tube'for holding the diaphragm and sealing the peripheral junction between the diaphragm and the tube against the passag'eiof the priming charge'or'powder, not shown, which is subsequently inserted into the. tube through the tube end .58. l

`.The conveying means 32 includes a shaft-60 suitably 'rotatably supported on a base or. frame structure 62.01?

s disks are rotated in timed relationship with the disks of the conveyor means/so that the primer tubesare carried by the transfer disks and disposed in the pockets of the conveyor disks. This timed movement of the two sets of disks is obtained by iixing afgear 106 on the shaft 102, Vwhich gear is driven by the large gear 66 of the conveyor In Vorder to prevent` the primer tubes from means;-

falling from the pockets of the transfer disks prematurely, retainingbar's'or rrails `108'ar'esuitably positione'di The means 44 for injecting the Vlacquer or other suit' able material into the primer tube atV the work station 36 is shown best in Figs. 3 and 6 through 8. 'I lhis means includes a iiow gun 110 disposed forustraight linereciprocating movement and having itsV discharge end connected with an elongated hollow tube 112 which has a i nozzle tube 114 ixed on the free end thereof. Lacquer or 'any other suitable, material is supplied to the ow gun from a tank 116 through a ilexible'conduitrll. 'I'he lacquer is Yforced to thel gun under pressure and in order to accomplish this, the interior of the tank is connected to a suitable source of air pressure bymeans of anair lir1e120.`"v s In order to reciprocatefthe flow gun and hollow-tube to insert theY nozzle 1-14 intoand withdrawth'e nozzle the apparatus and operatively connected withf and adapted s to be driven by a pneumatic `motor 64 of known construction.. vA large gear 66 is fixed on'one end portion of the shaft anda disk or turret wheel 68 is fixed adjacent the opposite end of the shaft. A plurality of rods 70 extend between and are connected to the gear and the disk.

Another disk 72 is longitudinally adjustably mounted on Y the shaft 60 and the rods 70. Rim portions of the disks 68 and 72 are provided with a plurality of circumferentially'spaced notches or pockets 74 and76 which are. l'adapted to receive and retain a primer tube extendingVV betweenthe disks. VAs will be understood', the conveyor means may be adapted for receiving primer tubes of various lengths by adjusting the disk 72 ,toward or away from the 'diskV 68. If desired, the rim portions of the disks removable soV that Vthe conveyor. maybe adapted' to accommodate primer tubes having different diametersby substituting rim' portions on thedisks having pockets of dierent sizes'.' Asshownin Fig. 2, a curved bar'or rail 78 is suitably mounted on the apparatus frame for rei taining primer tubes in the pockets of the disks while the tubes are being conveyed past the 'work stations.

In addition, the outer ends ofthe pocketsor notches 76 VVare closed by a plate member 80 vshown bestin Figs. l and 3 for preventing the primer tubes from moving'toward conveyed past the work stations.

The primer tubes 34 are supplied to the conveyor from a hopperl 82 which is shown in Figs. -l, 2 and 3. The

the right as ,viewed inthese figures While' the tubes are Vhopperis-provided with downwardly convergingbottomV sections'84 and .86. which direct theprimer tubes between vertical guide members 88 anl 90. In order to vibrate Y the hopper yandthe mass primer tubes disposed therein for facilitating passingofv the primer tubes betweenthe guidefm'embers, al plurality of eccentric cam's 92 are fmounted on 'arotatable shaft 94 in position for inter- VVV mittent engagement with thev bottom section '86 'of the hopper. f The shaft 94 'is`continuou'sly driven by means of ariair motor 96 of-known construction.V s, v

Y 'Ilhe guide members 88 and* 90 d ire'ctthe primertubes Y 'td ths'tpsripheriss sfps1-raf transfer disks 98j andino which aremounted on a rotatably/*supported shaft 102.

. 'As shownbest' in Eig. 2,"rtlietrans'ferdisks are, provided (vi/ ith aplurality ofcircumferentiallyspaced pockets 104 vvliichpuponcoming intoalignment with th efguideimenireceive 'a primer tube'. V The transfer and ' in a bracket 126.

from a properly Vpositioned primer tube,fthe liow gunris connected to a double acting piston Y122 Ywhich extends Y fr'orn van air cylinder 124. -In addition, the outer end porf tion of the hollow Itube 112 is suitablyslidably supported below, the solenoid valve is controlled by an electric cirvcuit so that the piston is actuatedV in predetermined timed s by the hollow tube 112 and'movable therewith tothe Y having the pockets therein may be formedso as to beV relationship with theconveyor means'. This electric circuit includes a microswitch 134 which is actuated by a cam 136 fixed on and carried with the hollowftube112. The'purpose of this switch will 'be set forth fully'hereinbelow. In addition, a microswi-tch 138 is 'provided' and is actuated 'by a cam member 140 fixed on and Vcarried broken line position shown in Fig. 6.' The switchfi138 controls the solenoid valve '128 s o as .to limit Atllef for; ward stroke of the piston' and thus, the depth whichthe nozzle'114 may enter the primer tube. It will be appref Vc iated that the length ofthe piston stroke mays'be'ieasily varied by adjusting the position of the can'imeurber r140 on thehollow tube 112. In order torfurther Support the -5 flow gun and the hollow tube 112, a guide 1142fsy Y Vmounted parallel to the hollow tube 112'and thecam members 136 and .140 Iare provided withy apertured extensions Which areslidable on the guide' rod. s

It is desirable that the lacquer'pr' other suitable mate1 i rial be injectedinto the primer tubesubstantially onlyY at the position within -the tube to' which the diaphragm is to be finally located. .Therefore, the owf'gun' is'fpro vided with trigger'means v144 which', when'actuateiis '.7 operable to permit the vlacquer to be forceclfromthe which valve' is connected to' afsour'ce of air "underfp'resj' i 'primertubes atthe workstationjSS is shqvvnj in QFig 3 and l0 through 15'. This means inc'ludes a'doubleacts nozzle. A cam 146 is disposed for engaging'and' at :tuat-y ing the flow gun director shortly before the cam member 140V engagesA the microswitchg138. The cam1`146y is mounted'for adjustment'longitudinallyof the' stroke of the iiow gun so that it may bedisposedjto actuatejthe director when .the nozzle .1 14has reached any prede'ter'- Vmined depth withinrthe primer tube. .s

* The means 46 for forming'the .diaphragms or plugs K Djflfhe and for inserting the diaphragms'fryint. the -ends ing'air cylinder 150` which Vactuates'a.pistoni 152 slidably 'disposed therein. `A suitable double actingL solenoid valve 1 54ii's provided for controllingthe operation 'of the piston sureA by means or air; linssissY 'and 15s. 'Amelon'g'atq rod or plunger' 160 isconnectcdto `and ac ftuatedYr the Actuationof the piston is'controlled by-a double'acting solenoid valve 128 which isconnected withy a source of air pressure by meansof airlines s and 132.' As will appear from the description hereinpistonf 152 andlextends'finto a;'di'eshucture:1i62;. A. micro'- switch: 1164.1's disposed fori engagement .by a: cam member 1566 adjustably fixed. oni the rod: 160ffor` controlling the solenoid 154. so asltoV limit theA length of the. .pistonstroke and a similar microswitch 168 actuated by aicam member 170 fixed on the. rodv 160 isprovded fora purpose which. will be'setzforth-morefully'below.. The dre .structure1-162 as shown best in Figs. l2` and "14 includesa fixed hollowbody/menrber 164'. 'A sl'e`e\re..1'66.` is-.sli'dably disposed within. .the body member and 1' is.v providedi with an apertured bushing. 168.l which: slidably receives the plunger or rod 160Q At the opposite end ofzthe; sleeve,.there is a die member 170.'.having; a central?, aperture 112' therethrough slidably receivingthe end of the plunger 160: A. die member 174z is..suitably mounted tothe body 164 by means ofA a plate. 176 for cooperation with the die member 170 to'cut. diaphragmy blanks from a strip 178 of stock material; In addition, the; die member 174 is provided. with. a suitably.kl formed. aperture 180- which is cooperable with the end' of the'plunger 160' tov form the diaphragm blank. into a cup shaped member and! direct the "formed diaphragm into theend of a primer tube as show-n: best in Eig. 12'.Y

Irrorder to; actuate the die member. 170 for cutting a blank"4 and to'. provide for relative axial movement between .this die andplunger ll-topermit the plunger to push-the blank through the die 174 and into' a' primer tube; thei'plunger 160 has a collar 182 fixed thereto. A compression -spring. 184 abuts this collar and also abuts an internal' shoulder 186v formed` on` thesleeve 166.so that during the forwardstroke ofF thefplunger. .160, the sleeve: and thev die 170 are yieldably urgedforwardly by the: spring 1845 After the diemem'ber 170 has cut the blank and is. stopped by the die memberl 174,. .the spring 1:84 permits the plunger 16) to continuel its. forward stroke; Upon: reverse movement of the plunger 160.', the collarlSZv yengages the bushing; 1681 sothat the sleeve 166 moves rearwardly with the plunger. In addition', in order to assist inV retracting thev s1eeve166 and the die member 170, an. annular member 188 is slidably disposedwithin an enlarged counterbore: 190m. the body member and is resiliently biased againsta1k shoulder' 192 on: the` sleeve 166 by means of a plurality ofsprings 194.V The springs y 194 areV preferably retained in` position vby means of screw members-.196v whichA arethreaded into the annular member 188 and are slidable within apertures. 198 in member' 200.

The strip178 of stock' material, which is preferably paper or the like, isfedfrom a supply roll 202disposed onl a spindle-204 mounted between stands 206 andl 208. The strip is passed downwardly through a suitable guide slot 210 between Vthe body 164` and .the plate member 176y of the die structure and is directed by asuitable guide 212 to a feed roller. 2.14 andra cooperating pressure roller 216. The pressure roller 216. is rotatably mounted by means of ashaft 218 between arms 221) and 222. of a bracketmember which is pivotally mounted pressure-roller away from the feed rollerdurng. inser# tion of thepaperjstrip betweenfthese' rlollers.. Normally, however, thepressurewroller is-reSilentlyurgedy against theieed-roller bymeans. of. a spring 232 which .is'con nected `betweenfpins- 234 and- 236 Aon the handle 230 and frame member 226; respectively.

'I'herfeedf roller 214i is `rotatably supported between the framemernbers 224--and 2261by` means of a-shaft'238. In orderv `todrive the feed' roller? intermittently' and during intervals betweenfforward strokes .of the plunger 160', a ratchet Hwheel 240 is connected with the roller 214. A leveri memberl 242 mountecbfor.- pivotal movement about' the shaft 23S-.and carriesaspring biased pawl 244 which is: engafgeable with the teeth of the'ratchet wheel. The lever member l242 isl actuated atintermittent intervals by means of a .pistons 246 slidably disposedwithiu a single acting air cylinder248 and conneotedwi'th the lever member througha rod. `250. A. suitablev spring means, not. shown, is. provided fornretraetingzthepiston 246, and a. solenoid valve 252" is providedforcontrolling the operation of thexair cylinder; The valve 252? isfxcon': nected with asourcezof air under pressure throughan. air line254. Al Y.

.The means- 50 for positivelyzpositioningadiaphragm to a predetermined V:depth within a primer tubei'atthe work station 40'is shown inFigs; 3 and A116 through .l8. This means includes an elongated rodl ori'plunger 2S61having one end slidably supported ini aabracketmember 258 and its opposite end' yieldably connected with a piston260; The piston is slidably disposed within' a double-,acting air cylinder 262, the operation of whiclris controlledbya double acting solenoidl valve 264; The valveis connected with a source of 'air under pressure through1airlines266 adjustably mounted on the rod 256. In addition',v la cam member 274 is mounted onthe rod 256 and is engageable with a microswitch 276-for a purpo'se'. describedy below.

If desired, the rod 256 may. be .further 4supported and gnided' by means of aguide barxor rod 278 andV apertured extensions of thel cam members'272 'au'd274- which; are slidably received on the. guideibar;

In order to insure that they diaphragm wll be positively positioned at the desired location within the'primer. tube, the cam ,memberv 272 s Ylocated so 'that 'the pistonA and rod 256rmay have a stroke iniexcessof. the stroke neces" sary to'insert the diaphragm to. the desired depth Within the tube. In addition',a pin or lugv 280f`is. mounted on the rod 256 in a position so that'it will engage the end ofthe primertube 341asrshown in; :18` whenxthei end of the plunger `256 and the'v diaphragm'i thereby has reached ther desired predetermined rdepth within; the

tube. Since; as is mentioned above,:the camy 272i-isrpositioned so-that the` strokeo therod 2561wouldibertdoi'long if it lwere: not for. the'. pin 28th-the iinall'oc'ation oil-the diaphragm within the primer tubehis-#a1-ways` positively determined by the posi-tion` of `thewpir'r-Z. It: is understood,y of course, that byadjusting the. positionsLof lthe cam'member 272 and tliepin 280,'ithe. diaphragm miayibe nally located at any desired pointbetweerrtheendsof the primertube; 1 i n 4- L In order to prevent injury .to the` mechanismWh'en the forwardystroke` of the rod -256 iszarrest/ed by engage-ment between pin- .280 with. theend ofrthe primertube'; themed 256 is yieldably` connected with*the'pdstonf'ZGfbyimeans shown in Fig. 18. This means includes `a'-pipesection 282 xed on the ,end of the. pistou-ami a sleeve member 284 telescopicallyVV associatedV with the' pipe section: pin 286 extends transversely throughf-the-ppeseenon 282 and through elongated sims 'zss andizzmformed in the sleeve member. A-.compressions'spring 2921actsbetween-"the pin 286 andthe closedendzof the slee've'nernLV toslide relative to the pipe' section When thepin 280er gages the.` primer tube. Asshownin-Fi'g.lSQ-itlerod 256 may be detachably Vsecured ltothezsleevememberfbyineahs Vof a screw`294'so that '.rods of; .various lengthsandfhav ing pins 280 positioned' at various locationsv may-b quick? ly'interchanged.. W 35 "f The means 52 for checking or inspecting-t primer tube and diaphragm assemblyfa-t'thewwofrkl station-429i@ shown in Figs. 3,fl9, 20 and 2li. .l 'Ehsmeans-iueludesa piston 296 slidably. disposed .inf raf' dou'lileacti-ngY air feylin- A der 298 andrcontrolled byV meansincludiirg :amdubl'e acting. solenoid valve 300. The"valveisi-connectedfvth a source of .air underI pressure through,ar,-lings. 392mm 304. ,A,microswitch .306 isl ,ontheendfo therpiston f an@ mi@ all; @Duelist-hellen .wb-@f 39.8 im: saaie- Y primer tube, the piston. 296 is extended so Vthat the tube 308andthe rod 310 extend into the primer tube.as show n in rFigJZl-.L .If the diaphragm is intheproper position, 1t

is engaged bytheend of the rod 310 andthe rod is moved rearwardly-with respect to the tube 308 to actuate element. 3'16 'of the micrswitch 306 and close the contctsof the switch'. This switch functions to operate the solenoid valve-300 so as to retract rtheipiston 296 when theLdiaphragmis properly positioned.y In the event the diaphragm isrlocateditoofar within thev primer tube, the rodf'310will. not vengagethe .diaphragm and the microswitch-306 willinotbe actuated. Thus, the piston Will continue to ."mrove` forwardly until a .cam member 318 ad- 'iu'stablyrnountedonthe hollow tube 308 actuates aV nc'r'oswitch 320, which switch operates the solenoid valve to .return .the piston. The switch .320 also functions to control means described belowfor separating unsatisfac-A Y tory primer tube and diaphragm assemblies from'satisfactory assemblies. At this point,.it vis well to .note .that with the structure of this'invention, it is substantially impossible for. a` diaphragm. to be improperly 'positioned within the` primer. tube since the diaphragms ,fare positively located Aby the" above ldescribedplunger 256. However, it is possible that an'operator mightinadvertently allow the apparatus oil-this inventionto continuato -function afterVY f the supplyof stockmaterial. for the diaphragms hasbeen exhausted so that, of course, the primer tubes would not havev .any 4diaphragms inserted therein. The inspecting mechanismjustfde'scribed. is ,therefore most useful ,in

Y preventing suchY primer tubes without diaphragms from beingaccepted. Y g

The inspectingm'eans' also. includes a'microswitch 322 for :a purpose which will be described below, which switch isf-actuated Vby Aa cam member l324 mounted on the holl0wgtube308.; They camrnembers .-318 and 324, likev Similarcam .members describedabove, are provided `with aperturedjextenson's which fareslidable on. a suitably supported guiderod'326. L

f Y 4 l,The means mentioned above for separating'acceptable andY unacceptable primer tube and diaphragm-assemblies V isishown in Figs.V 2 and 3 and includes a pair of guide 'rails ,328 and. 33.0 `mounted on fa rotatable-'shaft 332. These rails'normally project within the circle about which the primer tubes travelwhileY onthe-conveying disks so that vafterza primer. .tub' and diaphragm assemblyfhas been, foundto be satisfactory'at .the checking stationf42,

' the-assembly is stripped from the conveyor disks by the rails-.andoirected'toea suitableipointof discharge.v A -lever ,arm .334 is xed tojthev shaft V332 and is also con- 4nected'fwitli a single acting'. spring returned piston 336 slidably disposed in an airv cylinder 338.YY `The air cylinder is controlled by solenoid valve'340 which is connected with a source Voli airgunder pressure by means of a conduit Y342. .The solenoid valve 340 is,in turn, controlled bythe above mentioned .microswitch 320 of Vthe inspecting means so that whenever the inspecting means de- .tects 'an unacceptable primer tube and. diaphragm assem-Y bly or, agprimer tube Vfrom which the `diaphragm is missing, `tl1e, valve 340 is actuated-iso that the piston: 336 fis.

extended. Upon extension of thejpiston 336, theshaft 3.3.2..S rocked by means ofthe lever 334 so that the guide rails328 and 330 are raised. This action allows the 4unacceptable assembly to continue moving with the con- `veyorfdslts past therrails 328 'and 330 until'it'drops from the 'disks onto a discharge chute 344. f Y

f-{The 'apparatus of.this .invention isv provided with electrical control meansrdiagrammatically shown in Fig; 22..

`Asvvill .become'cle'ar from the description below, Vthis controlmeans'functionsso that the conveyor is inter'- V.mittentlygadvanceljorindexed-to move the primer-tubesV lthereby to''thevarius work stations. AIn addition, the control means fuctions'to operate the lacquer applying means 44, the diaphragm forming and inserting means 46, the diapha'gmpositioning means 50, 4the inspecting 'means 52 and .the reject' mechanism'in timed relationship .with each.. other and during `the 'intervals between movement of the conveyor. x

The control circuit preferablyfincludes a voltage reducing transformer 350.,.which is .connectable with. main power lines 352 and 354 by means of a main switch 356. Acontrol box 358'may be mounted atany desired poi sition on or adjacent the apparatus andis provided with a momentary contact push Ybutton start switch 360, va

momentarycontact push button index switch Y362 and a Y similar4 stop switch 364. One contact 366. of the startV yswitch is. connected to the'secondarfy coil of the translformer through wires 368, 370, 372 vand 374. The control circuit isvalso provided with a mechanically latched` relay 376 having pairs of cooperating contacts l378--380 and 382-384 which. are closedon energization of a solenoidV 390 and held closedrby a suitable mechanical latch 392. .This relay is kalso provided with apair of contacts 386 and 388 `which are closed on energiza'tion of the solenoid 394 and held in the closed' position by the latch. The other contact 396 .of the start switch is connected withthe relay. contact 378through wires 398, 400, 402 and 404.. .The start switch is also connected to the solenoid 390 of the relayby wire 406 which connected to the wire 402. The relay contact 380'is connectedA to a terminal box .408 through wires'410; 412, 414, V416, .41s, 420 vand 422.. The terminalibox-is `also'connected with the secondary coil'of thetransformei throughwires 424, 426, 428 and 430. A control mecha- Y nism 432 for the conveyorf-air motor 64 is connected with the terminal box by means Yof a cable 434, YThis control mechanism is of commercial `and known construction and includes a solenoid .valve which may. be 'actuated upon receiving an electrical impulse in the manner described below to start the air motor yand microswitch means which is operable after the conveyor Vhas' been `advanced a predetermined distance to Vactuate the v solenoid valve and stopthe -air motor. A Y

TheY .electrical circuit. `isprovided with a microswitch 436- which functions to prevent oper-ation of the means 378 and 380 .will be closed anda momentary electrical i 44, 46, 50 and Y52 unless a primer tube is properly positioned at the'work station,36. Thus, the switch 436 is mounted to be actuated andv closed Vbyl a primer tube at the work station 36 and one `contact of the switch" 436 is connected with the wire 402 through Wires 438, 440 and 442.'` The other Contact of therswitch 436 is connected by wires 444, 446, 448,-.450, 452 and 454 with the solenoid valveV 300. .Inaddition, the .wire 452 `i's connected with the solenoid valves.264, 154 and 128 by wires 456, A458 and 460, respectively. Thesesolenoid valves are respectively grounded by wires 462, 464, 466 Varld 468. With the circuit thus far described, itis seen that upon pressing the start button, the relay contacts impulse will be directed to the solenoid valves 1.28, 154,

Y264 and 300, which impulse is suicient-to actuate these valves in a manner which willeause the tair pistons'controlled by the valves to move forwardly. When the air pistons have reached the forward limits of their respectivel strokes, a portion-of thecontrol circuit, whichis to be described, functions :to actuate the solenoid valvesY f to return the air pistons .and also to start the air motor 64 of the conveyor when all of the pistonsrhavefbeen returned to their retracted positions. After the air motor has indexed the VV`conveyor Vto predetermined amount, a

microswitch, 'not shown, included in the air motor con- .trol mechanism 432 VVfunctions' to send an electrical mpulse lthrough the cable 434, the terminal box 408, and

back to the'advanceside of the solenoid valves 128,154,

264 andy300 through wires including the wires :422,"42'0, 4,16, 414, 412,410, 404 and 402. vItis thus seenthat Vonce the sta`r t button hasbeen operated, the apparatus will continue to operate in an automatic manner.

9 In order to return the various air pistons, the above mentioned microswitches 138, `164, 270, 306 and 320 are provided. These switches are connected in parallel with each other and are connected to the secondary coil of the transformer by means including the wire 374 and a Wire 470. The microswitch 138 has one contact connected to the wire 470 by a wire 472 and another contact connected to the reverse side of the solenoid valve 128 by means of wires. 474, 476, 478 and 486. The switch 164 is connected to the wire 470 by wire 482 and is also connected to the reverse side of the solenoid valve 154' through wires 484 and 486. The switch 270 has one contactconnected with the wire 470 by a wire 488 and another contact `connected with reverseside of the solenoid valve 2'64 by lwires 496 and 492. The microswitch 306 of the inspecting means has one contact connectedrwith the wire 470 by means of a wire 494 and another contact connected with the reverse side of the solenoid valve 300 through wires 496, 498 and 508. The microswitch 320 has one contact connected to the wire 470 by wire 502 and the other contact connected with the reverse side of the solenoid valve 300 by means of wires 504, 506, 508, 498 and 500. In addition, the microswitch320 is connected by means of wires 504, 510 land 512 with the solenoid v-alve 340 so that upon closing of the switch 320, the valve 344) is operated in a manner which Will cause the air piston 336 of the reject mechanism to pivot the guide or stripper bars or rails 328 and 330 in the manner described above.

The electrical control circuit includes the above mentioned microswitches 134, 168, 276 and 322 which are connected in series with each other and function to permit indexing of the conveyor only after all of the lair pistons of the means 4'4, 46, 50 and 52 have been fully retracted. More speciiically, one contact of the switch 322 is connected with theV relay contact 382 through wires 514, 516, 51-8 and 5201 The cooperating relay contact 384 is connected with the secondary coil of the transformer through wires 522, 524, 370, 372 and 374. The other contact oftheswitch 322 is connected with one contact of the switch 276 through wires'526, 528 and 530 and the other cont-act of the switch 276 is connected with one contact of the switch 168 through wires 532, 534, 536 and 540. The remaining contact of the switch 168 is connected with one contactof the switch 136 ythrough wires 542, 544, 546, V548, 550 and 552. As shown in Fig. 22, the solenoid valve 252 is connected in series between the wires 544l and 546 so that when all of the switches 134, 168, 4276` and 322 are closed, the solenoid valve 55,8, 560 andl 562. It should be noted that when the air cylinders are in' their retracted positions shownl in Fig. 22, the actuating members of the `microswitches 168, 276 and 322 engage their respective cooperating cams while the actuating member of the switch 134 has been engaged and disengaged by the cam 136. The time required for the stroke of the lacquer `applying means 44 is longer than for the strokes of the means 46, 50 and 52 so that when the switch 134 is momentarily closed by the cam 136 during the return stroke of the means 44, the :circuit is momentarily established and an impulse is sent to the air motor control mechanism 432, which impulse is suicient to actuate the control mechanism to start the air motor. It is, thus, seen that the conveyor cannot be indexed until the pistons of all of the means v 44, 46, 50 and 52 have been returnedV toy their retracted positions. The switch 134 is a one way switch so that it cannot be closed by the cam 136 during the forward.

stroke of the air vpiston of the lacquer applying means 44.

In order to stop the apparatus, theabove mentioned p the powerline 370 by wire 564; The other'contact is connected with the relay solenoid 394 through wires 566, 568, 570I and 572. Thus, rupon pressing the'stop button, the relay contacts 386 and '388 are closed while the other described contacts of the relay are opened. The stop. button is also lconnectedl with the advance sideA of the solenoid. valves 128, 154, 264 and 390 so as to insure the return lof. all the air. pistons controlled by thesevalves i when the apparatus is stopped. More speciiically, the wire 568 is connected with a wire 569, 'which wire is connected with wires 480, 486, 492 and 500'through wires 571, 573, 575 and 577, respectively.

There are instances arising 'when starting or stopping,

the apparatus when it is desirable to indexv the conveyor without actuating the various lacquerV and diaphragm connected with the relay contact 386 by means ofwires 578, 580, 582, 584 and 586. The cooperating contact 388 is connected by means of wires 588, 590, 592 to the power line 370 and thus to the secondary coil of the transformer. Thus, to index the conveyor, it is seen that it is necessary `to first press the stop button so that the relay contacts 386 and 38S are' closed and then to press the index button. Y Y

While the operation ofl the apparatus of this invention is believed to be clear from the above description, a short rsum of the operation is as' follows. The operator, of course, lirst `places a supply of primer tubes in the hopper and threads the stripof diaphragm stock material through the die means 162 and the feed mechanism. Then the operator presses the stop button and subsequently presses the index button so that the conveyor is advanced to receive primer tubes from the hopper. Then the operator presses thev start button whereupon the lacquer applyingmeans functions to inject lacquer within a limited portion of the `primer tube located at the work station 36. It is understood that the apparatus maybe adjusted so that the lacquer is applied at any location betweenV the ends of the primer tube. At the same time, the means 46 functions to cut out -a dia` phragm blank, form the blank and insert the blank into the end of the prirnertubev located at the station 38. Also lsimultaneously with the functioning of the lacquer applying means 44 and lthe die and inserting means 46, the means 50 is actuated to locate a previously inserted diaphragm at any predetermined position between the endsrof a primer tube located at the station v40 and the inspecting means 52 functions to check the diaphragm and primer tube assembly at the station 42. When the respective Voperations of the means 44, 46, 50 and 52 have been completed and the air cylinders of these means have been returned toV their retracted positions, the Vconveyor is automatically indexed in the manner described above and fthe cycle is repeated.

From the above description, it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel apparatus ywhereby dia-r phragrns or plug means may be automatically formed and located at a predetermined position Within a tubular body such as a primer tube in a rapid and, therefore, economical manner. To emphasize this point, it is noted that the apparatus of this invention with one operator is capable ofV performing the work heretofore accomplished by'.

twelve operators assembling diaphragms and primer tubes by hand. Furthermore, it is seen that the present invention has provided an apparatus whereby both the lacquer or other adhesive material and the diaphragm are accurately located at a predetermined position Vwithin the i primer `tube so that a minimum of primer tube and diaphragm assemblies will be rejected and more specifically, so tl'pt under normal conditions, rejections are substantiallyr eliminated. In addition, it is seen thatthe present apparatusl is fully automatic in operation so that. not only are Vthe'diaphragms and primer tubes automatically assem- Vbled,"'bu"t als 'so that operation' of .thevarious elements and particularly the lacquer applying-means is prevented Whenrthe primer'tubes are not in proper position. It is also seen that the present invention is constructed so that acceptable primer tubean'd diaphragm assemblies will be separated fromr unacceptable assemblies orkprimer tubes in which no diaphragm has been inserted.

While the preferred embodiment of the present inven-Y tion has been shown and described herein, it is obvious Y that many structural details Amay be changed without departingfrom the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims,

g VTheinvention'is claimed .,asfollows:

1. An apparatus for assembling plug means into tubular .bodies comprising yintermittently ,operable means for conveying a series ,of'tubularbodies along a predetermined path of travel withthe axes of ,said tubularibodiesl Y extending transverselyofsaid path ofY travel, intermit- ,tentlyl operable means adjacent'said path of travel for applying `aV-.plug means holding material into'a predeterminedfinternal portion of [successive tubular bodies on said conveying means, intermittently operable means adjacent Said path ofV travelfor successively forming a plumeans, intermittentlyoperable means Vadjacent said path of travel for inserting plug means within successive tubu lar vbodies onv Vsaid conveying means; means forVV continuouslyactuating saidcnveying means, saidmat'erial,apeV

plying means and said positioning means in predetermined timed relationship', and ,means for initially actuating 'said conveyingmea'ns without actuating said plug'means; ins'ertingmeans, so ythat an initial tubular body on said conveying means maybe moved into cooperative ,rela

tionship with said inserting means before actuation of the inserting means.

3. An Yapparatus for assembling plug members tubular bodies moving along a pathk of travel comprising pneumatically reciprocable means adjacent said pathy of travel for V'applying 'plug'` member holding material into predetermined -internal portions ofV successive .tubular bodies moving along saidV path of travel, pneumatically reciprocable means adjacentsaid path vof travel lfor sucy cessivelyforming aV plurality of plug membersfrom-a f i strip of A'stoclamaterial and inserting successive plug mem-Y Y bers into successive tubular bodies, pneumatically reciprocablemeans adjacent said path of travel and; spaced from said last named means for positively positioning rality, of plugV means from stock material and for positioning the formed plug means into Vsaidpredetermined internal portions of the tubular bodies onsaid conveying means, intermittently operable means adjacent said path of travel and 'spaced from said positioning means along said path of travel for inspecting-the .interiors Vof said tubular bodiesV for proper positioning of said plug means,

ysaidtinspecting means including a reciprocable Vtube insertableinto the' tubular bodies,-a tube reversing switch movable with said tube, and a rod slidablydisposed in and extending from said tube and engageable with said switch for actuating the switch upon' contact with `a'plug means within a tubular body, additional xed tube `reversing switch ymeans loperable by means movable withsaid'tube in the event'said rod does'V not contact a plug means,

mean's'for separating,properlyassembled body and'plug means from bodies without a p-roperly assembled plug means, said last vmentioned switch means'alsocontrolling operation of said separating means, and means'for'aotuf ating said conveying means, said applying means, said forming and positioning means and said inspectingmeans in` predetermined timed relationship.

2. A n apparatus for assemblng plug means into tubuularbodies comprising means for intermittently conveying a series of Vtubular bodies along aV predetermined path of travel, intermittently operable means adjacent said pathV Y of travell for applying a plug-means holding material into a predetermined internal portion of successive tubular bodies moving along saidpath of travel, means for preventing operation of said material applying meansfunle'ss thetubular body is properly positioned on said conveying formed and` inserted plug members within said predeterf mined internal portions of successive'tubular bodies,.a plurality of electrically'operated valves respectively 'controlling advancing and 'reverse movement of said inst, second and third mentioned means, aY plurality o f parallel connected switches respectively connected V'with one ,of said valves for individually actuating their associated Vvalves for reversingV their associated pneumaticrally reciprocable means, means for indexing thetubular bodiesv along said path of travel, means including a plurality of `series connected switches Vconnecting with said indexing means and respectively actuated by said irst', second and third reciprocable means for energizing l:said indexing means only after all of said reciproeable means have been y,retracted from said path of travel, and means operable upon completion of each indexing movement of -said indexing means for H,operatingsaid'valves to advance said reciprocable means.

AReferences Cited in the file of this patent 

